Phyllis Beveridge Nissila
THE RAGE
Are you beginning to think that the current state of rage on the part of the far left in the United States is unprecedented–and very disturbing? If so, you join a growing number of people with the same serious concern.
How bad has it become?
Here is a very recent example:
http://ijr.com/2017/01/790842-protester-calls-on-crowd-to-start-killing-people-wait-till-you-find-out-what-she-does-for-a-living/
Spoiler Alert: the subject of the above report, who is an African-American woman spewing profanities, racism, and a call to criminal activities against President Trump, European-Americans, and law enforcement officers, is a pre-school teacher, and in her diatribe she gives an example of how she apparently will infuse her lesson plans with her rage by encouraging children in her care to, “throw that f*cking cop car in the garbage.”
She also decries having worked under “White Supremacy” for “’40 f*cking hours’” a week, following with “we need to start killing people,” and “white people must die.”
(One presumes the murders would occur after her intended victims have given over, as she put it, “your f*cking money, your f*cking house, your f*cking property” because, she explains, “we need it f*cking all!”)
Is she just a one-off “protester”? A fringe element? A radicalized loner?
Consider innumerable stories of more violence-infused “protests” in the past few weeks here, here, here, here, here, and here, for starters, by other left-wing agitators, some local and others hired in, who share a similar, toxic rage (or feigned, as in the case of some rent-a-rioters) over the outcome of the election.
So, no; the enraged woman is not alone.
From the evidence, these events are pervasive, purposeful, and potentially far more dangerous to the health of the nation–perhaps even more dangerous than even the rioters are aware of.
Now, reasonable people understand it can be frustrating to lose an election. But it happens. We learn to take it with maturity and then plan and work hard for success the next time.
Reasonable people also understand that sometimes we react in a knee-jerk manner to certain events in spite of our better natures and we are protected in doing so by the First Amendment right to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. However, the same Amendment also details how to proceed, as in “peaceably,” due to laws against inflicting harm on others’ property and others’ bodies–or inciting crowds to do so.
But this time around, this year, this election season, the challenge to diffuse the danger–and the rage–seems inordinately–and unusually–big.
The police, it seems, are more often than not ordered to stand down, or at least stand back while violent voices–and forces–determine the outcome as more and more innocent people get hurt and private property gets trashed.
Not good.
In my view, those of us who want law and order restored, battle three formidable opponents, yet, not overwhelming opponents: the world, the flesh and the Devil.
See what you think.
THE WORLD
A number of perspectives come to mind regarding what generally happens when governmental systems (and in the case of the left in this country, big governmental systems working in concert with big business) go all-in for power and money instead of the people they were hired to serve:
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lord Acton
Unlimited power corrupts the possessor. William Pitt
“The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is oppression. The object of torture is torture. The object of murder is murder. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?”
― George Orwell, 1984
But to the present state of protests/riots, I think this expression most apt:
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
― John Steinbeck
Having lost the majority in all three branches of the government this election cycle, I believe one of the prime rage-inducers permeating the protests on the far left, aka, the Progressive/Marxist/Socialist movement, is such fear. Fear of the loss of power but coupled with a lack of education about how P/M/S governments have failed historically (for all but top leadership), leaving many imprisoned or dead in their bloody wake.
I think this is one factor of the tri-part battle.
THE FLESH
A side of human nature likes a thrill; a risk; attention; and sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. There is plenty of that to be had in the riot-fests posing as peaceful protests. Alongside true zealots for the cause are always plenty of posers along for the wild ride.
Trouble is, the longer and wilder the ride, the more mob-rule drives the mayhem. Many get caught up in a soon out-of-control and dangerous fray perhaps even more so than they had anticipated. Perhaps they are even surprised at the potency and darkness of what happens when “two legs” run bad–and run over reason, restraint, and the rule of law.
I think this is another factor.
THE DEVIL
But as a Christian, I believe there is yet another component of the terrible state of political rage in this country just now, perhaps the most potent of all: the Devil, Beelzebub, Satan, the Evil One, Power Monger of power mongers operating behind the scenes and whose prime objective no matter where the country, what the year, who the political parties are, and what the issue is, wants it, them, us, you, and me destroyed.
Period.
The Scriptures describe him as a deceiver and a thief and liken him to a lion roaming about “seeking whom he may devour.” He is the archetypal villain, despot, and tyrant. He is brilliant and good at his game, the end of which is the end of us all–every tribe, tongue, culture, and creed.
He is the original scorched-earther, figuratively and literally. The Destroyer in Chief who powers the wild rides and the out-of-control rages to whatever end people will allow.
And these days, many rioters have only a passing, if at all, view of this creature as mere myth. They mock his reality and his intent, thus leaving themselves wide open for his influence, and peddle it he will, to the unwitting.
Which is why I believe the battleground is more spiritual than temporal; more winnable than fearful IF Christians know who they are in Christ, how they are empowered, and how to proceed in warfare.
So, how?
THE HOPE
Although I often cite the following verses on who the “shadow enemy,” you might call him, really is and how to overcome him, the verses bear repeating because very few Christian churches seem to be teaching on these topics anymore:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:12-18 NASB).
That is the real battleground, in my view, and the only effective, long-lasting resistance.
Armor up, friends.
And one more thing.
Those on the far left who are ginning up trouble and violence and promoting endless vengeance on those they hate are likely not aware of how they are playing right into the scenes of the end of the age as detailed in several prophetic books of the Bible, most notably the Book of Revelation.
Here’s how.
The more they gin up endless strife and violence, the more the nation and the world will cry out for an answer, a leader to stop all of this because the destruction will become even more overwhelming as it festers, fattening with each riot, growing more menacing with each “peaceful (not) protest.”
Not good news for the rioters, either; the growing darkness, an unintended consequence (unintended for the rank and file, anyway, blinded by mob rule) to be sure.
But, and here is the crux of the good news and the Good News, for Christians who comprehend prophecy, this is then not a time to despair, but a time to “look up for your redemption is nigh.”
All of us might be surprised and disturbed by the out-of-control violence, but God is neither; rather, He waits.
What is He waiting for?
For the last one to come into the fold, to become part of the Church; the “bride of Christ” who will soon and very soon see her King.
I pray often for whomever this final believer is while holding temporal “saviors,” “governments,” and “peace accords” loosely knowing there is a much bigger and better reality, future, and hope ahead.
I encourage you, too, brothers and sisters in Christ, to pray for that one even as you continue to minister the Good News of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in prayer, word, and deed in your corner of the world.
God knows there are increasing numbers of victims of the rage of the age (also prophesied) in need of help.
While there is yet time.
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On the State of Political Rage: A Tri-Part Battle; Nevertheless, Hope
Phyllis Beveridge Nissila
THE RAGE
Are you beginning to think that the current state of rage on the part of the far left in the United States is unprecedented–and very disturbing? If so, you join a growing number of people with the same serious concern.
How bad has it become?
Here is a very recent example:
http://ijr.com/2017/01/790842-protester-calls-on-crowd-to-start-killing-people-wait-till-you-find-out-what-she-does-for-a-living/
Spoiler Alert: the subject of the above report, who is an African-American woman spewing profanities, racism, and a call to criminal activities against President Trump, European-Americans, and law enforcement officers, is a pre-school teacher, and in her diatribe she gives an example of how she apparently will infuse her lesson plans with her rage by encouraging children in her care to, “throw that f*cking cop car in the garbage.”
She also decries having worked under “White Supremacy” for “’40 f*cking hours’” a week, following with “we need to start killing people,” and “white people must die.”
(One presumes the murders would occur after her intended victims have given over, as she put it, “your f*cking money, your f*cking house, your f*cking property” because, she explains, “we need it f*cking all!”)
Is she just a one-off “protester”? A fringe element? A radicalized loner?
Consider innumerable stories of more violence-infused “protests” in the past few weeks here, here, here, here, here, and here, for starters, by other left-wing agitators, some local and others hired in, who share a similar, toxic rage (or feigned, as in the case of some rent-a-rioters) over the outcome of the election.
So, no; the enraged woman is not alone.
From the evidence, these events are pervasive, purposeful, and potentially far more dangerous to the health of the nation–perhaps even more dangerous than even the rioters are aware of.
Now, reasonable people understand it can be frustrating to lose an election. But it happens. We learn to take it with maturity and then plan and work hard for success the next time.
Reasonable people also understand that sometimes we react in a knee-jerk manner to certain events in spite of our better natures and we are protected in doing so by the First Amendment right to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. However, the same Amendment also details how to proceed, as in “peaceably,” due to laws against inflicting harm on others’ property and others’ bodies–or inciting crowds to do so.
But this time around, this year, this election season, the challenge to diffuse the danger–and the rage–seems inordinately–and unusually–big.
The police, it seems, are more often than not ordered to stand down, or at least stand back while violent voices–and forces–determine the outcome as more and more innocent people get hurt and private property gets trashed.
Not good.
In my view, those of us who want law and order restored, battle three formidable opponents, yet, not overwhelming opponents: the world, the flesh and the Devil.
See what you think.
THE WORLD
A number of perspectives come to mind regarding what generally happens when governmental systems (and in the case of the left in this country, big governmental systems working in concert with big business) go all-in for power and money instead of the people they were hired to serve:
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lord Acton
Unlimited power corrupts the possessor. William Pitt
“The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is oppression. The object of torture is torture. The object of murder is murder. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?”
― George Orwell, 1984
But to the present state of protests/riots, I think this expression most apt:
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
― John Steinbeck
Having lost the majority in all three branches of the government this election cycle, I believe one of the prime rage-inducers permeating the protests on the far left, aka, the Progressive/Marxist/Socialist movement, is such fear. Fear of the loss of power but coupled with a lack of education about how P/M/S governments have failed historically (for all but top leadership), leaving many imprisoned or dead in their bloody wake.
I think this is one factor of the tri-part battle.
THE FLESH
A side of human nature likes a thrill; a risk; attention; and sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. There is plenty of that to be had in the riot-fests posing as peaceful protests. Alongside true zealots for the cause are always plenty of posers along for the wild ride.
Trouble is, the longer and wilder the ride, the more mob-rule drives the mayhem. Many get caught up in a soon out-of-control and dangerous fray perhaps even more so than they had anticipated. Perhaps they are even surprised at the potency and darkness of what happens when “two legs” run bad–and run over reason, restraint, and the rule of law.
I think this is another factor.
THE DEVIL
But as a Christian, I believe there is yet another component of the terrible state of political rage in this country just now, perhaps the most potent of all: the Devil, Beelzebub, Satan, the Evil One, Power Monger of power mongers operating behind the scenes and whose prime objective no matter where the country, what the year, who the political parties are, and what the issue is, wants it, them, us, you, and me destroyed.
Period.
The Scriptures describe him as a deceiver and a thief and liken him to a lion roaming about “seeking whom he may devour.” He is the archetypal villain, despot, and tyrant. He is brilliant and good at his game, the end of which is the end of us all–every tribe, tongue, culture, and creed.
He is the original scorched-earther, figuratively and literally. The Destroyer in Chief who powers the wild rides and the out-of-control rages to whatever end people will allow.
And these days, many rioters have only a passing, if at all, view of this creature as mere myth. They mock his reality and his intent, thus leaving themselves wide open for his influence, and peddle it he will, to the unwitting.
Which is why I believe the battleground is more spiritual than temporal; more winnable than fearful IF Christians know who they are in Christ, how they are empowered, and how to proceed in warfare.
So, how?
THE HOPE
Although I often cite the following verses on who the “shadow enemy,” you might call him, really is and how to overcome him, the verses bear repeating because very few Christian churches seem to be teaching on these topics anymore:
12 For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 [c]With all prayer and petition [d]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [e]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:12-18 NASB).
That is the real battleground, in my view, and the only effective, long-lasting resistance.
Armor up, friends.
And one more thing.
Those on the far left who are ginning up trouble and violence and promoting endless vengeance on those they hate are likely not aware of how they are playing right into the scenes of the end of the age as detailed in several prophetic books of the Bible, most notably the Book of Revelation.
Here’s how.
The more they gin up endless strife and violence, the more the nation and the world will cry out for an answer, a leader to stop all of this because the destruction will become even more overwhelming as it festers, fattening with each riot, growing more menacing with each “peaceful (not) protest.”
Not good news for the rioters, either; the growing darkness, an unintended consequence (unintended for the rank and file, anyway, blinded by mob rule) to be sure.
But, and here is the crux of the good news and the Good News, for Christians who comprehend prophecy, this is then not a time to despair, but a time to “look up for your redemption is nigh.”
All of us might be surprised and disturbed by the out-of-control violence, but God is neither; rather, He waits.
What is He waiting for?
For the last one to come into the fold, to become part of the Church; the “bride of Christ” who will soon and very soon see her King.
I pray often for whomever this final believer is while holding temporal “saviors,” “governments,” and “peace accords” loosely knowing there is a much bigger and better reality, future, and hope ahead.
I encourage you, too, brothers and sisters in Christ, to pray for that one even as you continue to minister the Good News of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in prayer, word, and deed in your corner of the world.
God knows there are increasing numbers of victims of the rage of the age (also prophesied) in need of help.
While there is yet time.
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